to: increase the rates of extreme disablement adjustment disability pension, general rate disability pension and the previously non-indexed component of war widow and widower pension; and introduces new indexation arrangements for these pensions to be indexed twice annually.

to: enable the Repatriation Medical Authority to review one or a number of factors in a Statement of Principles; enable benefits and allowances fixed or calculated by regulations or other legislative instruments to be funded from the Consolidated Revenue Fund; clarify and amend the operation of income streams rules;

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004

to correct minor errors and anomalies; and

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004

and

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

in relation to access to specified treatment for certain veterans and dependents.

to provide funds for vocational education and training in 2005 under the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) agreement; and update the current funding limits for 2004 to reflect the outcome of earlier negotiations with the States and Territories.

in relation to: direct deduction arrangements; Victoria Cross allowance; automatic grant of income support supplement to age and wife pensioners; calculation of disability pension arrears; partner service pension for Norfolk Island residents; calculation of rent assistance; reduction in pension arrears payment resulting from overpayment of rent assistance and partner’s receipt of service pension; value of financial assets for purposes of deeming rules; clarification of deemed income and actual income from accrued returns on financial assets; means test exemption of certain superannuation assets; income and assets test treatment of small superannuation accounts and private rental income; adjustments to ceiling rate service pension; offence provisions; disposal of income and assets; compensation recovery; and minor and technical amendments. Also contains application and transitional provisions.

to: supplement 2003 funding; appropriate general vocational education and training funding for 2004; provide additional growth funding in 2004 for those State and Territories that satisfy the provisions set out in the Australian National Training Authority Agreement for 2004-2006; and provide further funding under the “Australians Working Together” and “Recognising and Improving the Capacity of People with a Disability” programs.

in relation to: continued indexation of “saved” child-related income support payments; misuse of the commutation provisions relating to the means testing of income streams for income support pensions; transfer of certain pension bonuses unclaimed under social security law; calculation of pension bonuses; backdating of claims for partner service pensions in certain circumstances; and alignment with social security law of compensation recovery provisions applicable to multiple lump sum compensation payments. Also contains application provisions.

More on bills

Bills and committees

The House of Representatives Selection Committee and the Senate Selection of Bills Committee routinely consider whether bills should be referred to committees for inquiry and report. The House Committee reports its determinations to the chamber, while the Senate Committee makes recommendations which the Senate may then adopt. Bills may also be referred to committees by either chamber or by the relevant minister to House and joint committees.